JP4103380B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to gaming machines represented by pachinko machines and slot machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a pachinko machine, when a ball that has been driven into a game area wins a winning opening, a predetermined number of balls (game media) of 5 to 15 balls are paid out. Such payout is performed by driving a payout motor by the payout control board. The paid-out prize balls are counted one by one by the prize ball count switch, and when the count value reaches the number of prize balls to be paid out, the payout control board stops driving the payout motor, Dispensing of the ball ends.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is a case where a prize ball count switch for detecting payout of a prize ball is extracted by an illegal act. In such a case, it is impossible to count the prize balls that are paid out by driving the payout motor, so that the prize balls are paid out for an unreasonably long time, and a lot of illegal prize balls are paid out. There was a problem that it was.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can suppress an illegal act of removing a detection means and unjustly paying out a valuable object.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 performs main control means for controlling a game and payout control of a valuable object having a predetermined valuable value based on a command transmitted from the main control means. A payout control means for performing, and payout means driven by the payout control means for paying out the valuable object; Electrically connected to the main control means and the payout control means, Detecting means for detecting valuable objects paid out by driving of the payout means, the payout control means, An undetected command transmission means for transmitting an undetected command to the main control means when the detection means cannot detect a valuable object paid out by the payout means even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the driving of the payout means; , Even if a predetermined time or more elapses after driving the dispensing means, By means of withdrawal Dispose of valuable objects The detection means If it cannot be detected, Low-speed drive means for driving the payout means at a low speed slower than a normal speed, and the main control means pays out by the payout means when receiving the undetected command transmitted by the undetected command transmission means. A judgment means for judging whether or not the detected valuable object has been detected by the detection means, and a case in which it is judged by the judgment means that the detection means has not detected the valuable object paid out by the payout means; And a stop command transmission means for transmitting a drive stop command for stopping the driving of the payout means to the payout control means, wherein the payout control means receives the drive stop command transmitted by the stop command transmission means In this case, the driving of the payout unit is stopped and the drive stop command transmitted by the stop command transmitting unit is not received. Is intended to continue the driving of the dispensing means in case .
The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1, The gaming machine is a pachinko machine .
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine that is a kind of a ball game machine, in particular, a first type pachinko game machine will be described as an example of the game machine. Of course, the present invention can be used for other gaming machines such as a third-class pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, and a slot machine.
[0007]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine P according to the present embodiment. Around the game board 1, there are provided a plurality of winning holes 2 through which five to fifteen balls are paid out when a ball wins. In the center of the game board 1, a liquid crystal (LCD) display 3 for displaying symbols as a plurality of types of identification information is provided. The display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into three in the horizontal direction. In each of the three divided display areas, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner while scrolling from right to left in the horizontal direction.
[0008]
Below the LCD display 3, a symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4 is provided, and when the sphere passes through the symbol operating port 4, the above-described variation display of the LCD display 3 is started. Below the symbol operating port 4, a specific winning port (large winning port) 5 is provided. The specific winning opening 5 is a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) so that the ball is a big hit and the ball is easy to win when the display result after the fluctuation of the LCD display 3 matches one of the predetermined symbol combinations. Open until seconds have passed or 10 balls have been won).
[0009]
A V zone 5a is provided in the specific winning opening 5, and when the ball passes through the V zone 5a while the specific winning opening 5 is opened, a continuation right is established and the specific winning opening 5 is closed. Thereafter, the specific winning opening 5 is opened again for a predetermined time (or until a predetermined number of balls win the specific winning opening 5). The opening / closing operation of the specific winning opening 5 can be repeated up to 16 times (16 rounds), and the state in which the opening / closing operation can be performed is a state in which a predetermined game value is given (special game state). is there.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P, and in particular, a main control board C that controls the game contents of the pachinko machine P, and a payout control board that performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls. It is the block diagram which showed the electric constitution with H.
[0011]
The main control board C of the pachinko machine P includes an MPU 11 that is an arithmetic device, a ROM 12 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 11 and fixed value data, and a RAM 13 that is used as a work memory. Yes. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 6 are stored in the ROM 12 as a part of the control program. The RAM 13 is provided with a prize ball buffer 13a, a prize ball pointer 13b, a remaining prize ball number counter 13c, and a backup area 13d. The RAM 13 is supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply board D even after the power is turned off, and each value of the RAM 13 can be held (backed up) even when the power of the pachinko machine P is turned off.
[0012]
The winning ball buffer 13a is a buffer for storing the number of winning balls to be paid out when a ball that has been driven into the game area 1 wins the normal winning slot 2 or the like. Since the number of winning balls to be paid out is stored in the winning ball buffer 13a for each winning ball, the winning ball buffer 13a is composed of a plurality of bytes. When the prize ball data stored in the prize ball buffer 13a is transmitted to the payout control board H as a prize ball command, it is erased from the prize ball buffer 13a. Specifically, after the number of prize balls stored in the 0th prize ball buffer 13a is transmitted to the payout control board H, the values of the 1st and later prize ball buffers 13a are sequentially shifted to the smaller address side by 1 byte. As a result, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a is erased.
[0013]
Here, the prize ball command is a command for instructing the payout control board H of the number of prize balls to be paid out, and is composed of 2 bytes. The first byte data of the prize ball command is data (for example, “A0H”) indicating that the command is a prize ball command, and the second byte data indicates the number of prize balls to be paid out. The data is shown. Since the maximum number of winning balls for one winning is 15 balls, 15 types of data “01H” to “0FH” corresponding to the maximum number of winning balls are used as the second byte data of the winning ball command. Yes.
[0014]
The prize ball command may be composed of 1 byte. As described above, since the maximum number of winning balls for one winning is 15 balls, when the winning ball command is composed of 1 byte, “01H” to “0FH” corresponding to the maximum winning ball number. Fifteen types of data are used as prize ball commands. In other words, when the upper 4 bits of a command composed of 1 byte are “0”, a winning ball command is set.
[0015]
The prize ball pointer 13b is a pointer indicating the position of the prize ball buffer 13a for storing the number of prize balls, and the number of prize balls to be paid out is stored in the value-th prize ball buffer 13a of the prize ball pointer 13b. The value of the prize ball pointer 13b is incremented by "1" by writing the number of prize balls in the prize ball buffer 13a, and conversely, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a is transmitted to the payout control board H. “1” is subtracted.
[0016]
The remaining prize ball number counter 13c is a counter for storing the number of unpaid prize balls, and is a counter for managing the number of prize balls to be paid out by the payout control board H on the main control board C. Each time the main control board C instructs the payout control board H to pay out the prize ball, the value of the remaining prize ball counter 13c is incremented, and conversely, the payout control board H pays out the prize ball. Each time the award ball count switch 22 detects the paid-out prize ball, “1” is subtracted. The value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c is also used as the second byte data of the prize ball payout permission command.
[0017]
Here, the winning ball payout permission command is a command transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H at the end of the startup process of the main control board C when the backup is valid. This prize ball payout permission command instructs the payout control board H after the start-up process to be permitted to pay out prize balls. The prize ball payout permission command is composed of 2 bytes. The first byte data is data (for example, “A1H”) indicating that the command is a prize ball payout permission command, and the second byte data is data indicating the number of unpaid prize balls. It is said that. Specifically, the value of the remaining winning ball number counter 13c is set as the second byte data.
[0018]
When the payout control board H receives the prize ball payout permission command, it reads out the second byte of data, writes it into the remaining prize ball number counter 33a, and calculates the number of unpaid prize balls before paying out the prize ball. The value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a to be stored is matched with the remaining prize ball number counter 13c of the main control board C. Therefore, a prize ball over error that occurs when a prize ball is paid out exceeding the value of the remaining prize ball counter 13c stored in the main control board C, or a prize ball is paid out on the main control board C. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a prize ball under error that occurs when the value of the remaining prize ball counter 13c stored is less than the value, and the game state can be smoothly restored after the power failure is eliminated.
[0019]
The prize ball payout permission command may be composed of 1 byte as in the case of the prize ball command. In this case, the value of the remaining prize ball counter 13c of the main control board C is not set as the value of the prize ball payout permission command. Therefore, in the start-up process after backup, the main control board C and the payout control board H The remaining ball counters 13c and 33a cannot be matched.
[0020]
In the backup area 13d, when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine P is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 13d is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 3). Conversely, the restoration of each value written in the backup area 13d is performed when the power is turned on (the power is turned on by eliminating the power failure). In the following, the same is performed in the recovery process (power recovery process) (see S21 and S22 in FIG. 4).
[0021]
The MPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus line 14 constituted by an address bus and a data bus. The bus line 14 is also connected to the input / output port 15. The input / output port 15 is connected to the payout control board H via a plurality of signal lines 37 so as to be capable of two-way communication, and also includes a plurality of normal winning switches 17, a first type start port switch 18, and a V count switch. 19, 10 count switch 20, prize ball count switch 22, clear switch 23 provided on power supply substrate D, and other input / output device 25 are connected to each other.
[0022]
The normal winning switch 17 is a switch for detecting each of the balls that have won the plurality of normal winning ports 2 in the game area 1, and is provided near the entrance of each of the normal winning ports 2. The first type starting port switch 18 is a switch for detecting a sphere that has passed through the symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4, and is provided in the vicinity of the symbol operating port 4. When a ball is detected by any one of the normal winning switches 17 or the first type start port switch 18, six payout balls are paid out by the payout control board H.
[0023]
The V count switch 19 is a switch for detecting a ball won in the V zone 5 a in the specific winning opening 5, and the 10 count switch 20 is a ball won in a place other than the V zone 5 a in the specific winning opening 5. It is a switch for detecting. When a ball is detected by the V count switch 19 or the 10 count switch 20, 15 prize balls are paid out by the payout control board H.
[0024]
The prize ball count switch 22 is a switch for detecting a prize ball paid out by the prize ball payout motor 21 and is mounted in the prize ball payout unit S together with the prize ball payout motor 21. The winning ball payout motor 21 is a motor for paying out a winning ball, and the driving of the winning ball payout motor 21 is controlled by the payout control board H.
[0025]
The clear switch 23 is provided on the power supply board D, and is a switch for clearing data backed up in the RAMs 13 and 33 of the main control board C and the payout control board H, and is composed of a push button type switch. ing. When the power of the pachinko machine P is turned on while the clear switch 23 is pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the RAMs 13 and 33 are cleared by the main control board C and the payout control board H, respectively. The
[0026]
The payout control board H performs payout control of prize balls and lending balls, and is used as an MPU 31, which is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 32 storing a control program executed by the MPU 31, fixed value data, and a work memory. The RAM 33 is provided. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 9 are stored in the ROM 32 as a part of the control program.
[0027]
The RAM 33 of the payout control board H is provided with a remaining prize ball number counter 33a, a prize ball payout stop flag 33b, a prize ball payout error flag 33c, and a backup area 33d. The RAM 33 is supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply board D even after the power is turned off, and each value of the RAM 33 can be held (backed up) even when the power of the pachinko machine P is turned off.
[0028]
The remaining prize ball number counter 33a is a counter that stores the number of unpaid prize balls in the same manner as the remaining prize ball number counter 13c of the main control board C described above. The value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a is incremented every time the prize ball is instructed from the main control board C to the payout control board H by the prize ball command. On the contrary, every time the prize ball count switch 22 detects the paid out prize ball, “1” is subtracted. The payout control board H operates the award ball payout motor 21 to pay out the award balls until the value of the remaining award ball number counter 33a reaches “0”. Since the value of the counter 33a is backed up by the power supply board D, even when the power of the pachinko machine P is turned off during the payout of the prize ball, the payout control board is re-powered by turning on the power of the pachinko machine P again. H can pay out the remaining prize balls (unpaid prize balls) accurately.
[0029]
The prize ball payout stop flag 33b is a flag for instructing to stop the driving of the prize ball payout motor 21 for paying out the prize ball, and has received a drive stop command for the prize ball payout motor 21 from the main control board C. If turned on. The prize ball payout error flag 33c is a flag that is turned on when a prize ball that has been paid out cannot be detected by the prize ball count switch 22 even after approximately one second has elapsed since the prize ball payout motor 21 is driven. is there. In the pachinko machine P of the present embodiment, the winning ball is surely passed through the winning ball count switch 22 after approximately 0.7 seconds have elapsed since the driving of the winning ball payout motor 21. Therefore, if the awarded ball is not detected by the award ball count switch 22 even after about 1 second or more has passed since the prize ball payout motor 21 is driven, a certain payout error has occurred. Conceivable. In this case, the payout control board H turns on the prize ball payout error flag 33c.
[0030]
When the prize ball payout error flag 33c is turned on, the driving speed of the prize ball payout motor 21 is switched from the normal speed to the ultra-low speed, and the number of prize balls paid out per unit time is reduced. When an illegal act such as disconnection of the signal line of the prize ball count switch 21 is performed, the prize ball payout error flag 33c is turned on in approximately 1 second, and the prize ball payout motor 21 is switched to the ultra-low speed drive. Therefore, the number of prize balls to be paid out due to such fraud can be kept to a minimum. When the prize ball payout error flag 33c is turned on, a prize ball payout error command is transmitted to the main control board C to check whether or not the main control board C has a payout error, and the main control board C pays out. If the error is confirmed, a drive stop command is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H, the prize ball payout stop flag 33b is turned on in the payout control board H, and the payout of the prize ball is stopped. Therefore, even if an illegal act such as disconnection of the signal line of the prize ball count switch 21 is performed, the prize ball can be paid out and the damage can be suppressed.
[0031]
Similarly to the backup area 13d of the main control board C described above, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the backup area 33d returns the state of the pachinko machine P to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. Therefore, it is an area for storing a stack pointer at the time of power-off (including when a power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter), values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 33d is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 3). Conversely, each value written to the backup area 33d is restored when the power is turned on (the power is turned on by eliminating the power failure). In the following, the same is performed in the recovery process (power recovery process).
[0032]
The MPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 are connected to each other by a bus line 35 that includes an address bus and a data bus. The bus line 35 is also connected to an input / output port 36. The input / output port 36 is connected to the main control board C via a plurality of signal lines 37 so as to be capable of two-way communication, as well as the prize ball payout motor 21 and the prize ball count switch 22 of the prize ball payout unit S, The power supply board D is connected to the clear switch 23 and another input / output device 40.
[0033]
The power supply board D is a board for supplying a driving voltage to each part of the pachinko machine P, and supplies a backup voltage, a reset signal, a RAM clear signal 52, a power failure signal 51 and the like based on the state of the pachinko machine P. Output. The main control board C and the payout control board H are driven by a drive voltage of 5 volts supplied from the power supply board D. The power supply board D has a power failure monitoring circuit 26 which is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal 51 to the NMI terminals of the MPUs 11 and 31 of the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Is provided. This power failure monitoring circuit 26 monitors the voltage of 24 VDC, which is the largest voltage output from the power supply board D, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal 51 is output. By the output of the power failure signal 51, the main control board C and the payout control board H recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure process (refer to the NMI interrupt process in FIG. 3). It should be noted that the power supply board D has a sufficient time for execution of the process at the time of power failure even after the voltage of DC stability 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts (including the waiting time of the execution timing suitable for the process at the time of power failure). The main control board C and the payout control board H can normally execute the power outage process because the control system drive voltage of 5 volts is maintained at a normal value.
[0034]
Next, each process performed in the main control board C and the payout control board H will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the NMI interrupt process executed separately on the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption process, the states of the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like are stored in the respective backup areas 13d and 33d. Note that the NMI interrupt process is a process that is separately mounted on the ROM 12 of the main control board C and the ROM 32 of the payout control board H, but can be represented in the same manner in the notation of the flowchart. Are summarized in the figure.
[0035]
When the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal 51 is output to the NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminals of the MPUs 11 and 31 of the main control board C and the payout control board H, respectively. When the power failure signal 51 is input to the NMI terminal, each of the MPUs 11 and 31 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of FIG. For a predetermined time after the power failure signal 51 is output, power is supplied so that the processing of the main control board C and the payout control board H can be executed, and the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 3 is executed within this predetermined time. .
[0036]
In the NMI interrupt processing, first, the stack pointer value is written to the backup areas 13d and 33d (S1), and further, the values of each register and I / O are written to the backup areas 13d and 33d (S2). The state at the time of power-off due to occurrence or the like is stored. Thereafter, another power failure process that differs depending on the main control board C and the payout control board H is executed (S3), and then the process is looped until the power supply is completely cut off and the process cannot be executed.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of start-up processing (power recovery processing) executed by the main control board C when the power of the pachinko machine P is turned on. In this process, if the backup is valid, each data stored in the backup area 13d is returned to the original state, and the game control is continued from the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid, or if the clear switch 23 is pressed when the power is turned on even if the backup is valid, an initialization process is executed.
[0038]
First, interrupts are prohibited (S11), and then a temporary stack pointer is set so as not to destroy the data stacked in the original stack area (S12). It is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 23 is turned on (S13). If the clear switch 23 is turned on (S13: Yes), the process proceeds to S15 and the initialization process is executed. If the clear switch 23 is not turned on (S13: No), it is confirmed whether the backup is valid (S14). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is correctly stored. If the keyword is stored correctly, the backup is valid. On the other hand, if the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed, so the backup is not valid. If the backup is valid (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to S21, and each state of the main control board C is returned to the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid (S14: No), the process proceeds to S15 and the initialization process is executed.
[0039]
In the initialization process from the process of S15, first, a normal stack pointer is set, the contents of the stack are adjusted (S15), the RAM clearing and initialization process is executed (S16), the RAM 13 and the I / O Initialize each value such as. Thereafter, the interruption is permitted (S17), an initialization command is transmitted to the payout control board H using the interrupt (S18), and the payout control board indicates that the initialization process has been executed on the main control board C. Tell H. Since the payout control board H is lighter in processing than the main control board C, the start-up process (recovery process) ends before the main control board C. Therefore, the payout control board H can reliably receive the initialization command transmitted from the main control board C. After transmitting the initialization command, the main control board C executes a wait process so that the payout control board H that has received the initialization command waits for a sufficient time to complete the initialization process (S19). , And wait for a predetermined time to shift to the next processing. After the execution of the wait process, the payout control board H has also risen reliably, so the process shifts to each process of S20 and game control is started.
[0040]
In the return processing (recovery processing) from S21, first, data such as each register and I / O saved in the backup area 13d is read from the backup area 13d, and each of these data is restored to the original register, I / O, etc. (S21). Further, the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup area 13d and written to the stack pointer to return to the state before power interruption (before power failure), that is, the state before the occurrence of NMI interruption (S22). Thereafter, the interrupt state is returned to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure) (S23), the value of the remaining winning ball counter 13c is set as the second byte data of the winning ball payout permission command, and the permitted The prize ball payout permission command is transmitted to the payout control board H by using the money (S24). When the payout control board H receives the prize ball payout permission command, the payout ball can be paid out. Thereafter, the NMI interrupt is returned, the processing is returned to the place where it was executed before the power was turned off, and the control is continued from the state before the power was turned off.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the prize ball process executed in each process (S20) of the main control board C. The winning ball process includes a winning detection process for detecting a hit ball that has won the normal winning slot 2, the first type starting port 4 or the big winning slot 5 (S30), and a winning ball command for transmitting a winning ball command to the payout control board H. The process consists of three processes: a transmission process (S40) and a prize ball detection process (S50) for detecting a prize ball paid out by the payout control board H.
[0042]
In the winning detection process (S30), first, it is confirmed whether any of the normal winning switches 17 or the first type start port switch 18 has detected a ball (S31). When a ball is detected by any of the switches 17 and 18 (S31: Yes), “6” is set to the value-th prize ball buffer 13a of the prize ball pointer 13b in order to pay out six prize balls. Write (S32) and add "1" to the value of the prize ball pointer 13b (S33). On the other hand, when a sphere is not detected by any of the switches 17 and 18 (S31: No), the process of S32 and S33 is skipped and the process proceeds to S34.
[0043]
In the process of S34, it is confirmed whether or not a sphere is detected by the V count switch 19 or the 10 count switch 20 (S34). When a ball is detected by any of the switches 19 and 20 (S34: Yes), “15” is set to the value-th prize ball buffer 13a of the prize ball pointer 13b in order to pay out 15 prize balls. Write (S35), and add "1" to the value of the prize ball pointer 13b (S36). On the other hand, if a ball is not detected by any of the switches 19 and 20 (S34: No), the process of S35 and S36 is skipped, the winning detection process (S30) is terminated, and a prize ball command transmission process of S40 is performed. Migrate to
[0044]
In the prize ball command transmission process (S40), it is first checked whether or not the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is "0" (S41). If the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is not “0” (S41: No), it means that the prize ball data to be paid out is stored in the prize ball buffer 13a, and therefore the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a. Is set as the second byte data of the prize ball command, and the prize ball command is transmitted to the payout control board H (S42). After the prize ball command is transmitted, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a, which is the prize ball number data transmitted by the prize ball command, is added to the remaining prize ball counter 13c (S43). Then, the value of the first and subsequent prize ball buffers 13a is shifted one byte at a time toward the smaller address side (S44), the value of the prize ball buffer 13a is updated, and the value of the transmitted 0th prize ball buffer 13a is updated. Further, “1” is subtracted from the value of the prize ball pointer 13b (S45). On the other hand, in the process of S41, if the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is “0” (S41: Yes), the data of the number of prize balls to be paid out is not stored in the prize ball buffer 13a. Each process is skipped, the prize ball command transmission process (S40) is terminated, and the process proceeds to a prize ball detection process of S50.
[0045]
In the prize ball detection process (S50), it is first determined whether or not the prize ball count switch 22 is turned on (S51). If it is detected that the prize ball count switch 22 is turned on (S51: Yes), it means that one prize ball has been paid out, so the value of the remaining prize ball counter 13c is confirmed (S52), If “0” is not “0” (S52: No), “1” is subtracted from the value of the remaining winning ball counter 13c corresponding to the paid-out winning ball (S53). On the other hand, if the turn-on of the winning ball count switch 22 is not detected (S51: No), the winning ball is not paid out, and even if the turning-on of the winning ball count switch 22 is detected, the remaining winning ball number counter If the value of 13c is “0” (S51: Yes, S52: Yes), the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c cannot be subtracted, so the process of S53 is skipped and a prize ball detection process (S50). ) Ends. Thereby, the prize ball processing of FIG. 5 ends.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a prize ball payout error command process performed on the main control board C. First, it is confirmed whether or not a prize ball payout error command transmitted from the payout control board H has been received (S61). If the command is received (S61: Yes), a prize ball payout state confirmation process is executed (S61). S62). In this prize ball payout state confirmation process, whether or not a ball is stored in a storage tank (not shown), whether or not it is necessary to stop payout of the prize ball when the upper plate (not shown) is full, Alternatively, it is confirmed whether or not an error relating to the payout of a prize ball such as a prize ball over error or a prize ball under error has occurred. As a result of the confirmation, if the payout of the prize ball is impossible (S64: No), a drive stop command of the prize ball payout motor 21 is transmitted to the payout control board H (S64), and the payout control board H is transmitted. To stop paying out prize balls.
[0047]
On the other hand, if the prize ball payout error command is not received in the process of S61 (S61: No), this process is terminated as it is. Further, in the process of S63, if the result of the confirmation by the prize ball payout state confirmation process is a state where the prize ball can be paid out (S64: Yes), this process is also terminated as it is.
[0048]
In this way, in the prize ball payout error command process, the prize ball payout state confirmation process is executed in response to the reception of the prize ball payout error command transmitted from the payout control board H, and the prize ball can be paid out. Therefore, it is possible to quickly determine the error by shortening the fixed time such as a prize ball under error. Therefore, when an illegal act such as removing the prize ball count switch 22 is performed, the prize ball under error can be determined at a faster timing and the payout of the prize ball can be stopped. Can be kept small. In addition, the present invention has an effect of suppressing such illegal acts by minimizing damage caused by the illegal acts.
[0049]
Next, each process performed on the payout control board H will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of command reception processing executed in the interruption processing of the payout control board H. When the payout control board H receives a command transmitted from the main control board C, an interrupt is generated each time, and this command reception process is executed.
[0050]
In the command reception process, first, it is determined whether or not a command to stop driving the prize ball payout motor 21 has been received (S65). If the command has been received (S65: Yes), the prize ball payout stop flag 33b is set. This is turned on (S66), and this command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if the drive stop command for the prize ball payout motor 21 has not been received (S65: No), it is confirmed whether or not a prize ball command has been received (S67), and if a prize ball command has been received (S67). (S67: Yes), the number of prize balls designated as the second byte data of the prize ball command is added to the remaining prize ball number counter 33a (S68), and this command reception process is terminated. If the received command is neither a driving stop command for the winning ball payout motor 21 nor a winning ball command (S67: No), a process corresponding to the received command is executed (S69), and this command receiving process is executed. Exit.
[0051]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of start-up processing (power recovery processing) executed by the payout control board H when the pachinko machine P is powered on. In this process, if the backup is valid, each data stored in the backup area 33d is returned to the original state, and the prize ball payout control is continued from the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid, or if the clear switch 23 is pressed when the power is turned on even if the backup is valid, an initialization process is executed.
[0052]
First, interrupts are prohibited (S71), and then a temporary stack pointer is set so as not to destroy the data stacked in the original stack area (S72). It is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 23 is turned on (S73). If it is turned on (S73: Yes), the process proceeds to S75, and the initialization process is executed. If the clear switch 23 is not turned on (S73: No), it is confirmed whether the backup is valid (S74). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keyword written in the predetermined area of the RAM 33 is correctly stored. If the keyword is stored correctly, the backup is valid. On the other hand, if the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed, so the backup is not valid. If the backup is valid (S74: Yes), the process proceeds to S82, and each state of the payout control board H is returned to the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid (S74: No), the process proceeds to S75 and the initialization process is executed.
[0053]
In the initialization process from the process of S75, first, a normal stack pointer is set, the contents of the stack are arranged (S75), RAM clearing and initialization process are executed (S76), and the RAM 33 and I / O Initialize each value such as. Thereafter, in order to wait for permission to pay out a prize ball from the main control board C, the process loops until either an initialization command or a prize ball payout permission command is received in a state where interruption is prohibited (S78: No). , S79: No). The command reception in this case is directly performed in this main process without using the reception interrupt process. If either the initialization command or the winning ball payout permission command is received (S78: Yes or S79: Yes), it means that the winning ball payout permission has been issued from the main control board C. Therefore, in such a case, the interruption is permitted (S80), and each process as the main process of the payout control board H is executed (S81). Since the prize ball payout process of FIG. 9 is executed in each process (S81), either the initialization command or the prize ball payout permission command is received for the payout of the prize ball by the payout control board H. Will wait.
[0054]
In the return processing from S82, first, data such as each register and I / O saved in the backup area 33d is read from the backup area 33d, and these data are written in the original register and I / O (S82). . Further, the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup area 33d and written to the stack pointer to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure), that is, the state before the occurrence of the NMI interrupt (S83). Thereafter, in order to wait for the permission to pay out a prize ball from the main control board C, the process is looped until either an initialization command or a prize ball payout permission command is received in a state where interruption is prohibited (S85: No). , S86: No). The command reception in this case is directly performed in this main process without using the reception interrupt process.
[0055]
If a prize ball payout permission command is received (S85: Yes), it means that a prize ball payout permission has been issued from the main control board C. Therefore, in such a case, the interrupt state is returned to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure) (S88), the NMI interrupt is returned, and the process is returned to the place where it was executed before the power interruption. Control continues from the state before the power was turned off. This makes it possible to pay out the winning ball.
[0056]
On the other hand, if the initialization command is received (S85: No, S86: Yes), it means that the initialization command is transmitted from the main control board C. Therefore, in such a case, the RAM clearing and initialization process is executed (S87), the payout control board H is initialized, then the interruption is permitted (S80), and the main process of the payout control board H is performed. The process is executed (S81). Since the prize ball payout process of FIG. 9 is executed in each process (S81), the payout of the prize ball by the payout control board H is on standby until an initialization command is received.
[0057]
As described with reference to FIG. 4, the main control board C executes the wait process (S19) after transmission of the initialization command and waits for the execution of the subsequent process for a predetermined time. A new command is not transmitted from the main control board C during the execution of the conversion process (S87). Therefore, the payout control board H can normally perform the payout control of the game even in such a case.
[0058]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the winning ball payout process executed in each process (S81) of the payout control board H. With the prize ball payout process, the prize balls are paid out, the prize balls that are paid out are detected, and the like. In the prize ball payout process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball payout stop flag 33b is turned on (S91), and if it is not turned on (S91: No), the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a is examined ( If the value is not “0” (S92: No), there is an unpaid prize ball remaining. If the prize ball can be paid out (S93: Yes), the prize ball is paid out. Done.
[0059]
When the prize ball payout error flag 33c is not on (S94: No), the prize ball payout motor 21 is driven at a normal speed (S95) and the prize ball is paid out. If the prize ball payout error flag 33c is turned on (S94: Yes), some kind of payout error is detected by the payout control board H. In this case, the prize ball payout motor 21 is driven at an extremely low speed. (S96), paying out a prize ball. As a result, when any payout error is detected on the payout control board H, the number of award balls to be paid out per unit time can be reduced.
[0060]
On the other hand, when the prize ball payout stop flag 33b is turned on (S91: Yes), the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a is “0” (S92: Yes), or the prize ball is not paid out. If it is possible (S93: No), the driving of the winning ball payout motor 21 is stopped and the paying out of the winning ball is stopped (S97). Note that the prize ball payout state determined in S93 is a tank ball no command, an upper plate full command, a prize ball over error command, a prize ball under error command, or a cancel command for these, transmitted from the main control board C. Etc., depending on the reception status of each command.
[0061]
If it is detected in the process of S98 that the prize ball count switch 22 is turned on (S98: Yes), it means that the prize ball has been paid out. Therefore, in such a case, the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33a is confirmed (S103), and if the value is not "0" (S103: No), the remaining prize ball corresponding to the paid-out prize ball. The value of the number counter 33a is decremented by “1” (S104), and this prize ball payout process is terminated. On the other hand, if the turn-on of the prize ball count switch 22 is not detected (S98: No), it is confirmed whether or not approximately 1 second or more has elapsed since the driving of the prize ball payout motor 21 (S99). If the prize ball payout error flag 33c is not turned on (S100: No), it is turned on (S101), and a prize ball payout error command is transmitted to the main control board C (S102). If at least one second has not elapsed since the driving of the winning ball payout motor 21 in the processing of S99 (S99: No), or the winning ball payout error flag 33c is turned on in the processing of S100 (S100: Yes). This process is terminated.
[0062]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be guessed.
[0063]
For example, in the above embodiment, when the backup of the main control board C is not effective, the main control board C transmits an initialization command to the payout control board H after executing its own initialization process. Instead of the change command, a prize ball payout permission command in which “0” is set in the second byte data may be transmitted. When the payout control board H receives a prize ball payout permission command in which “0” is set in the second byte, it sets the value of its remaining prize ball number counter 33a to “0”. This is because the payout of the ball can be cleared.
[0064]
Also, the winning ball payout permission command composed of 2 bytes is composed of 1 byte, that is, the winning ball payout permission command is set to 1 except for the second byte data in which the value of the remaining winning ball counter 13c is set. It may be constituted by a byte, and the prize ball payout permission command may instruct only the payout of prize balls. Furthermore, a command indicating the end of the start-up process of the main control board C may be provided, and the payout control board H may be permitted to pay out a prize ball by the command. Such a command does not necessarily have to be one command, and the payout of prize balls may be permitted with two or more commands.
[0065]
In addition, the main control board C is configured to transmit a command indicating the state of the pachinko machine P to the payout control board H after the start-up process of the main control board C is completed, and the payout control board H is transmitted from the main control board C. It may be configured to wait for award ball payout until receiving a certain command. The state of the pachinko machine P is not necessarily the same before the power is turned off and after the power is turned on. Despite the fact that prize balls can be paid out before the power is turned off, after the power is turned on again, for example, there are not enough tank balls to store the prize balls to be paid out. In that case, the prize ball cannot be paid out. Therefore, after starting up the main control board C, a command indicating the state of the pachinko machine P is transmitted to the payout control board H, and the payout control board H pays out the winning ball only after receiving the command. It is configured not to be able to. Some commands indicating the state of the pachinko machine P stop the payout of the prize ball, so that the state of the pachinko machine P after the power is turned on cannot pay out the prize ball. The command for stopping the payout of the prize ball is transmitted, and the payout of the prize ball by the payout control board H is further waited.
[0066]
You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a different type from the said Example. For example, once a big hit, a pachinko machine that raises the expected value of the big hit until a big hit state occurs (for example, two times or three times) including that (for example, a two-time right item, a three-time right item) May also be implemented. Moreover, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special game state under the condition that a ball is awarded in a predetermined area. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the game machine may be implemented as various game machines such as an alepatchi, a sparrow ball, a slot machine, a game machine in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated.
[0067]
In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating a control lever in a state where a symbol effective line is determined by inserting coins, and a symbol is stopped and confirmed by operating a stop button. Is. Therefore, the basic concept of the slot machine is that it is provided with variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after variably displaying the identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, the operation lever). Then, the change of the identification information is started, and the change of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or after the lapse of a predetermined time, and the fixed identification information at the time of the stop Is a slot machine provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the specific identification information is a necessary condition. In this case, coins, medals, etc. are representative examples of game media As mentioned.
[0068]
In addition, as a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated, a variable display means for displaying a symbol after a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed, and a handle for launching a ball is provided. What is not provided. In this case, after throwing a predetermined amount of spheres based on a predetermined operation (button operation), for example, the change of the symbol is started due to the operation of the operation lever, for example, due to the operation of the stop button, or With the passage of time, the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, and a jackpot state advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the confirmed symbol at the time of stoppage is a so-called jackpot symbol. A lot of balls are paid out.
[0069]
The modification of this invention is shown below. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the payout control means pays out to the main control means when the detecting means cannot detect the paid valuable object even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the payout means is driven. Whether the main control means is in a state in which the valuable object can be paid out when the confirmation command transmitted from the confirmation command transmitting means is received. A payout state confirming means for confirming whether or not the payout of the valuable object cannot be detected by the detecting means even though it can be confirmed that the valuable object can be paid out by the payout state confirming means. Stop command transmission means for transmitting a drive stop command to stop driving of the payout means to the payout control means, the payout control means, Stop command transmission gaming machine 1, characterized in that it comprises a dispensing stopping means for stopping the drive of the dispensing means when receiving a drive stop command transmitted from the means. The payout control means for controlling the payout of the valuable object prompts the main control means to confirm the payout error, and as a result of the confirmation by the main control means, a drive stop command for stopping the driving of the payout means is transmitted and received by the payout control means. Then, the driving of the payout means is stopped by the payout control means. Thus, since the payout control means for driving the payout means is configured to prompt the main control means to check out the payout error, the payout error can be confirmed quickly. Therefore, even when an illegal act of removing the detection means is performed, it is possible to quickly cope with the damage caused by the illegal act. The confirmation by the main control means as to whether or not the valuable object can be paid out includes, for example, confirmation as to whether or not there is a valuable object in the storage tank that stores the valuable object to be paid out. The
[0070]
In the gaming machine 1, the payout control means includes a low speed drive means for reducing the drive speed of the payout means when the confirmation command sending means sends a confirmation command to the main control means to confirm the payout error. A gaming machine 2 characterized by Here, if an illegal act is performed in which the detection means is not removed and the signal line between the detection means and the main control means remains connected, and the signal line between the detection means and the payout control means is removed, a confirmation command Even if the main control means confirms the payout error, the error cannot be confirmed. In this case, since the drive stop command is not transmitted from the main control means to the payout control means, the payout means continues driving and pays out valuable objects. On the other hand, according to the gaming machine 2, when a payout error is confirmed by the payout control means and a confirmation command for confirming the payout error is transmitted to the main control means by the confirmation command sending means, the payout means is driven. Since the speed is reduced, the number of valuable objects dispensed per unit time can be reduced. Therefore, even if an illegal act is performed in which the detection means is not removed and the signal lines between the detection means and the payout control means are removed while the signal lines between the detection means and the main control means are left as they are. , Damage due to the fraud can be kept small.
[0071]
In the gaming machine 2, the payout control means includes a speed return means for returning the driving speed of the payout means driven at a low speed by the low speed drive means to a normal speed when the valuable object payout error is resolved. A gaming machine 3 characterized by being. Since the drive speed of the payout means is returned to the normal speed after the payout error is resolved, even if a payout error is detected for some reason, the gaming machine is returned to a normal state and operated after the payout error is resolved. be able to.
[0072]
In the gaming machine 3, the speed return means determines that the payout error of the valuable object has been resolved when the detecting means detects the paid out valuable object.
[0073]
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is paid out by driving the payout means in a state where the payout of the valuable object is normally performed. The gaming machine 5 is characterized in that it is set to be equal to or longer than the time until the detection means detects a valuable object (for example, the time plus alpha time). The time from when a valuable object is paid out by the payout means to when the valuable object is detected by the detection means varies depending on the model. However, by setting the predetermined time as in the gaming machine 5, the optimal predetermined time can be set for each model. Therefore, the payout error can be detected more quickly.
[0074]
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the payout control means stores a remaining number storage means for storing a payout remaining number of game media instructed by the main control means, and a remaining number thereof. A backup means for retaining the contents of the storage means even after the power is turned off, and a remaining number payout means for paying out the remaining payout of the game media backed up by the backup means when the power is turned on. A gaming machine 6 to play.
[0075]
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine. Above all, the basic configuration of a pachinko machine is equipped with an operation handle, and in response to the operation of the operation handle, a ball is launched into a predetermined game area, and the ball is awarded to an operating port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition (or passing through the working port), the identification information variably displayed on the display device is confirmed and stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the number of winnings is obtained. Examples include those to which values (including data written on magnetic cards as well as premium balls) are given.
[0076]
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. Above all, the basic configuration of the slot machine is “variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after variably displaying the identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, the operation lever). Alternatively, when a predetermined time elapses, the variation of the identification information is stopped, and a special gaming state advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information. A gaming machine provided with a special gaming state generating means. In this case, examples of the game media include coins and medals.
[0077]
The gaming machine 9 according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a fusion of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the fused gaming machine includes “a variable display means for confirming and displaying identification information after variably displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). The fluctuation of the identification information is started due to the operation, and the fluctuation of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information is the specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium and starting to change the identification information In this case, the game machine is configured to require a predetermined number of balls and to be paid out when a special gaming state occurs.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention According to the gaming machine Yes By a payout control means for performing payout control of a valence object, If the detection means cannot detect a valuable object paid out by the payout means even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the drive of the payout means, an undetected command is sent by the undetected command transmission means. To main control means Sent By the main control means Thus, when it is determined that the detection means has not detected the valuable object as a result of determining whether or not the detection means has detected the valuable object that has been received by the payout means by receiving the undetected command In addition, A drive stop command to stop driving the dispensing means By stop command transmission means Dispensing control means Sent to. The payout control means then issues a drive stop command. Receive Then Driving of the dispensing means The Stop Then, the payout unit continues to be driven if the payout of the valuable object is stopped and the drive stop command is not received. . Thus, the payout control means for driving the payout means If the detection means cannot detect the paid valuable object , Judgment whether or not a valuable object is detected in the main control means It is configured to prompt, so take Determining whether a valuable object has been detected Can be done quickly. Therefore, even when an illegal act of removing the detecting means is performed, there is an effect that it is possible to deal with it quickly and to reduce the damage caused by the illegal act.
Further, when the detection means cannot detect the valuable object paid out by the payout means even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the drive of the payout means, the low speed drive means, The drive speed of the dispensing means Slower than normal speed Slow Can Therefore, there is an effect that the number of valuable objects dispensed per unit time can be reduced. Here, the detection means is not removed, and the signal lines between the detection means and the main control means remain connected, and an illegal act is performed in which the signal lines between the detection means and the payout control means are removed. If , When an undetected command is transmitted from the payout control means and the main control means receives the undetected command, the main control means determines that the detecting means has detected the paid-out valuable object, so the payout control means from the main control means The drive stop command is not transmitted to Therefore, the payout means continues to drive and pays out valuable objects. However In the unlikely event that an illegal act is performed in which the detection means is not removed and the signal line between the detection means and the payout control means is removed while leaving the signal lines between the detection means and the main control means unchanged. Because the drive speed of the payout means can be made slower than the normal speed by the low speed drive means. , There is an effect that the damage caused by the fraud can be kept small.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine that is one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an NMI interrupt process executed by a main control board and a payout control board.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of start-up processing executed on the main control board.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a prize ball process executed by a main control board.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a prize ball payout error command process executed on the main control board.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of command reception processing executed in the reception interrupt processing of the payout control board.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of start-up processing executed on the payout control board.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a prize ball payout process executed by a payout control board.
[Explanation of symbols]
13 Main control board RAM
13c Counter ball counter of main control board
13x Main control board backup capacitor
33 RAM of payout control board
33a Rewarded ball counter of payout control board (remaining number storage means)
33x Discharge control board backup capacitor (backup means)
C Main control board (Main control means)
H Dispensing control board (dispensing control means)
P Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine comprising main control means for controlling a game and payout control means for paying out a valuable object having a predetermined valuable value based on a command transmitted from the main control means,
A payout means driven by the payout control means to pay out the valuable object;
A detection means that is electrically connected to the main control means and the payout control means and detects a valuable object paid out by driving the payout means;
The payout control means includes
An undetected command transmission means for transmitting an undetected command to the main control means when the detection means cannot detect a valuable object paid out by the payout means even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the driving of the payout means; ,
A low-speed drive means for driving the payout means at a lower speed than a normal speed when the detection means cannot detect a valuable object paid out by the payout means even after a predetermined time or more has elapsed after the drive of the payout means; With
The main control means includes
A determination means for determining whether or not the detection means has detected a valuable object paid out by the payout means when an undetected command transmitted by the undetected command transmission means is received;
Stop that transmits a drive stop command to stop the driving of the payout means to the payout control means when it is determined by the determining means that the detection means has not detected the valuable object paid out by the payout means Command transmission means,
The payout control means stops driving of the payout means when receiving a drive stop command transmitted by the stop command transmitting means and does not receive a drive stop command transmitted by the stop command transmitting means The game machine is characterized in that the driving of the payout means is continued . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.

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